Life's a Gamble

He prowled down the hallway with floors covered in carpet as red as blood. It was dark and shady inside, which made it easy for Leonardo to properly menuver through the building unseen. The casino he guarded was one of the finest in New York. It was used as both a gambling heaven and a hotel, attracting many men and creatures of all sizes and species. Because of its high standard and publicity, it needed someone very skilled to watch the activity inside.
The fine dressed ninja come in through the foyer, passing the slot machines and cusual dining tables. Despite the current despute going on near the lobby, most of the Eastman Casino members were lost in their own business.

It was a warthog this time, as far as Leo could see. The mutant with the short tusks under its snout was fueding with a gray, scaly figure looking similar to a rhino. Slash, the current bouncer on duty watched the two with shifty eyes, debating if he should intervean. Scuffles were common here and if things started to get out of hand, it was Leonardo's duty to break it up.
The said ninja already had his right hand clasped over the leather handle of his katana. As he walked, his pace became quicker once the angry tuants turned into threats.

"Why don't I smash the ugly face of yours?!"

"Try it! You'll find yerself dead on the ground in minutes!"

Just as the warthog was about to toss a chair the rhinos way, he had a steel blade presses firmly under his chin. The turtle dressed in blue garb held the weapon steady while addressing the matter at hand.
"Gentlemen," Leo stated in a collective voice. "I advise you put down the furniture and go your separate ways. I wouldn't want Mr. Spike to have to throw you out."

Slash scoffed at the mention of his cousins name. What Spike lacked in strength, Slash made up for with his own hulking body, while the smaller of the bouncers had enough brain for the two of them. How else would Slash have landed this job to pay off his gambling debts?
"Take it outside." His rough voice warned, only to earn a glare from the warthog. The rihno, on the other hand, wasn't the one with the blade to his throat, and so he took the opportunity to chuckle. "Take it easy, I don't want no trouble, just the money Bepop here owes me, ya?"

"Take your money problems to my boss." Leonardo warned. His hold on the katana never wavered.
"Shit, this is crazy!" Bebop shouted. He had his hands in the air to surrender while slowly backing himself towards the door. "No way I'm getting killed over money issues, I'm outta here!"
He was grabbed roughly by Slash who "helped" Bepop to the exit, while only Leo and the rihno remained. The bigger beast took the hint and turned, cursing fowl phrases under his breath. It seemed he wouldn't be getting his money back anytime soon, thanks to this mystery ninja. He had enough bitter fuel in him to pound some manners into this blue masked stranger, but when the rihno turned to back to where the turtle was once standing, he found that the other had already left.

---

Rumor within the dark alleys of New York has it that someone will offer his services to take care of anyone you wish to inflict sufferings on, for a fee. Not many knew of him and his shady business. Those who did simply addressed him as 'Red', mostly due to that striking red mask he wears. Other than that, he's usually seen wearing a pair of sunglasses, fedora, and somewhat tattered dark brown trench coat, especially when dealing with his 'clients'.

Still, that name was no more than an alias.

Raphael was a regular rogue, loner.. mutant. Some might be appalled of his ways; just the other day he had a nosy old rat on his back persistent on putting a stop to his violent deeds. As if that would stop him. Raph called his own shots, living by his own rules. Although reduced to a hired gun, he would never say no to putting his Sai and fists to good use; plus it kept bread on the table.

Presently, the cloaked terrapin lurked near the Grand Eastman Casino. Lots of gamblers with money to burn, infuriated players resenting rivals they've lost money to -- perfect spot to set up business. So he settled himself against the wall of the said building, eyes scrutinizing the passing crowd through dark-tinted glasses.
He had to admit, that rat's words kept ringing in his head; on and on about peace, and how only doom will befall everyone should such brutality persists. Sure, he's heard that one before. And peace? Hah. There's no such thing, especially not in this excuse of a city.

Slash released his grip on on the pig. He swore, they didn't pay him enough for this, not that he knew who "They" were. The owner of the Eastman was very secretive and always kept to himself. Slash often wondered if he was even working for anyone at all. But at least the pay checks always came through. It was the money that mattered.
Speaking of money...
"I don't eva wanna see you pull a stunt like that again, got it? I don't get tired of throwing you trash out."
Oh, but he did.

"Man, who needs this place, anyway?!" Beepop shrieked with a wave of his hand. He dusted his jacket off before thrusting a wad of cash in Slash's claws. "Take it! I don't want that freaks dirty money. Just trying ta do a little gambling is all. It don't hurt no'body if I win."

The overgrown tortoise snorted, but took the cash anyway by stuffing it in his pants pocket. He would return the funds to the casino later. After he took a break. Man, he needed some time off. "Just get out of here." Slash muttered, waving a hand of his own. He watched the pig walk off before his attention turned to a shady figure in a trench coat. A smile sparked on his beak. Slash could return the cash, or use it to buy some drinks. Considering that his shift was long over, now working overtime, the drink idea seemed really good right about now.
"Hey Red! Aren't you a sight a for sore eyes."

Slash grabbed his old friend's shoulder, hoping he'd agree to catch up over some good booze. Shell knows he needed it.
"Where ya been all dis time? Spike's been convinced you skipped town, but I know that ain't yer style."

It didn't take long at all for something to catch his eye -- a warthog exiting the grand casino in a less than collected manner. Looked quite promising. He had his gaze on him, until he heard the familiar voice. There was no need to look. He knew who it was right away.

Raph brought a three-fingered hand up to remove his dark glasses before greeting his long-time friend with a slight grin.
"Been keepin' busy," was his simple reply. He knew the larger mutant would get the gist. While he was not one to stay in one place too long, he wouldn't leave the city. After all, where else would he be able to gather decent cash, and more importantly satisfy his thirst for a good beat down?

Another reason why they hadn't contacted in a while was because of this very building. The red-clad turtle glanced at the casino with mild contempt. "You two still sweatin' out at the snob fest, huh?" He meant no offence to Slash nor Spike, but he personally detested the high society scene -- exaggerated costly decor, stuck up management, and money-hoarding snobs crawling all over the place. That's most definitely not his style. Then again, those type make the best clients. So who was he to complain?

Slash simply shrugged in reply. "Yeah, but what can ya do? At least it pays." The way his eyes slanted gave off the impression that Slash wasn't to fond of his job. It wasn't to long ago when he was in the same position as Raphael; collecting money for bounty.
Ah, those were the days.
"Say, you got a minute? Maybe we can catch up over a few drinks." The turtles powerful hand slid around the others shoulder, giving him a playful squeeze while Slash directed him over towards the bar area. "It'll be on the house."

"Whatever floats your boat, Brother." He spoke after a couple of silent seconds, noting the look Slash was giving. Personally, he'd rather the cousins work elsewhere.. instead of toiling for a wealthy somebody who's too good to show their face in public. But if it's good enough for Slash and Spike, he wasn't about to tell them what to do.

Raph's face eventually lit up slightly with interest. "Who am I to pass up free drinks?" He grinned at the other. Ehh.. what's a quick drink in that swanky place? He sure could use a few rounds; and even if he wouldn't score a good bounty that night, he could at least enjoy the downtime with his old friend. So he followed Slash's lead towards the bar, seeming to pay little mind to the other patrons.

"That's what I like to hear!" Slash's voice boomed with a chuckle. He continued to lead Raphael over to the best seats at the bar, used for V.I.P only. When nights were slow, the employees were allowed to drink during down time until activity started booming again. Slash ordered for the both of them, handing the bar tender, a lizard looking guy nicknamed L.H, half the wad of cash he collected from the pig. "Two Mutant turtles," his toxic yellow eyes turned to Raph. "Best drinks in the house, you'll love em."

While L.H was busy mixing fizzy green liquids together, the rhino from before took up the empty seat next to Raph's right. He was on the phone, furiously muttering to whoever was on the other line.

"What do ya mean bounty hunter is busy, hire a me another hit man! Da! As much money as he needs, I want the ninja gone!"

((Not important to the story, but there's 4 names that may pop up once in a while. It's the family Mystee’s staying with, as a maid of sorts. She had trouble getting a job and the cheap motel she used to live in being replaced by a dry cleaning business. The dad, James, works in a car repair shop, the mom, Ellie is a chef at a small restaurant, and the son, Matt, who is 19 and works at a fast food restaurant. Other info: Mystee’s pet is an American Eskimo dog, named Mal, due to Jason and Lilium passing away. She's 23/24 years old, still looks 14 though.))

"Leaving now." Mystee says to James, having just moved the furniture back in place, after cleaning the floors, for the third time that day. It was about Midnight at the time and she needed to go out. She watched as he turned another page in his newspaper before waving her off. With a sigh she whistled before calling her dog over. "Mal, c'mere boy."

The white dog's ears perked up as his head tilted. Seeing it was Mystee, the dog barked once before approaching her. After the leash and collar were on, both vampire and canine went out for their walk. They walked around eventually coming across the city's casino. She noticed two outside the casino and overheard part of their conversation. The larger of the two had thrown his arm over the other one’s shoulder, before they both walked in to get a drink. Which reminded her, she needed to get a ‘drink’ after her walk with Mal.

A sudden bark caught her attention, before Mal pulled her into an alley. “Mal, what’s u- Is that Matt?” She asks quietly noticing the red headed teenager heading to the casino. If he comes here regularly, it’s no surprise he still lives with his parents... She thought to herself watching him. He went to the bouncer showing him an ID that said his name was Jake and was 22. It was a fake I.D. he had a friend made, in exchange for $100.

Then another thought hit the young vampire. She was aware that most casino only let those who were 21 or over in. Yet, Matt was 19. She knelt down beside Mal stroking the back of her hand over his long white fur.  She stayed and  watched waiting for the casino’s bouncer to shake his head and point Matt in the other direction.

He gave a slight chortle in response to Slash's loud cheer, soon finding himself at the exclusive corner of the casino. It's not everyday he'd get the V.I.P treatment. Still he thought it was a bit too much. He'd settle for a few cheap cans of beer, but hey, once in a while a guy could sure as heck use some good quality booze.

Raph took a seat and acknowledge the bartender. "Now I feel real special," he quipped, just as the rhino sat beside him. At first, he paid little mind towards the other... until he overheard. His eyes shifted to the right, glancing at him. Those words greatly piqued his interest. Well, so much for downtime. He couldn't help it; this sounded like quite the attractive deal.

Without a word, the turtle reached into his coat and pulled out a red card with an illustration of twin sai on it. Scribbled on the card were the words 'For hire'. He placed it on the table and discreetly slid it over to the right.

(If my character isn't allowed in this thread you can go ahead and delete the post )

A young teen looked at the casino planning on sneaking in and getting some money. People were going in to gamble and get drunk for whatever reason. But depending some were getting beyond drunk and less apt to keep an eye on their money or know what they really had. She had scored before on the drunks that had left the casino and gone into the alleyways before but now wanted to get inside. Unfortunately she didn't have a fake I.D. and even if she did she looked to young anyway.

So she did the next best thing go into an alleyway that had an unlocked door and slipped in through the back avoiding the bouncers. Keeping out of sight of the security cameras would be a little difficult but doable. This street kid was gonna see what this high life was all about while picking pockets clean. Slipping down the the back hallways she quietly snickered this was just way to easy and fun.

((Every member is allowed to join in, there's no need to ask. c:

The lean bouncer at the door was too busy from the over flow of members to properly check Matt's card, but Spike had a keen eye. The tortoise clicked the beeper hidden inside his jacket fold; twice. It would alert Slash (that lazy, no good cousin of his) about the under-aged kid sneaking inside. It was becoming a busy hour, the guests staying at the Grand Laird Hotel next door would often visit the Casino after some nightly drinks. The place was really turning into a freak-fest. “He better be doing something important.” Spike muttered to himself while having to shove a mutant free from the entrance way.

---

“Two Mutant Turtles.”
L.H. slid them their drinks, which Slash gladly gulped down. The glass was half empty after just one swallow, leaving the big brute to wipe the fizz from his snout. “Ah, that’s the stuff.” Slash stated, leaning back in his chair while the rhino babbled on, only to pause once the card was in view. Slash snorted. “You neva quit, do ya? Be careful around this guy, Raph. He’s trouble.”

“I can hear, you skum.” The rhino snapped, then barked into the phone. “Not you-you dolt! Goodbye!” The phone was snapped shut, his grey beady eyes planted curiously on Raph. He’s hired hitmen before, mostly mutant hitmen, but none of them were quiet like this green guy. “What makes you so special, turtle? You rather small, ya?” The rhino sneered back at Raphael, almost expecting the short guy to have a fit. “You have training?”

You gotta be kidding me. They let him in?! Mystee couldn't believe what she just saw. She wasn't one to do well in places like a Casino, yet she was slightly ticked. She couldn't grasp the thought of Matt, being 19, and allowed in the Casino. Meanwhile she was 23, but couldn't go in due to having no ID.

She growled quietly under her breath, before nodding for Mal to follow. They both quickly walking up to  the lead bouncer. She was unaware that another worker of the Casino had already alerted someone about Matt. She briskly walked past the line that was heading into the Casino.

"Hey kid, isn't it past your curfew?" One asked amongst others groaning in annoyance, complaining that she was cutting, and such. "Why don't you and your dog get going?"

"I am NOT a kid." Mystee snaps as she sharply turned to face the line of people. She gave them all a look, that showed she wouldn't hesitate to wreck havoc on them. "I'm not here to get inside, I just got something to tell him, not step back, shut up, and f***ing deal with it!" She shouts at them.

"Thank you... S***" Mystee says after nothing else was said. She purposely cleared her throat as she faced the bouncer that let Matt inside. "I'd like for you to be aware, that one of those people you let in is not of legal Casino age." She tells him before adding, "His name is Matt. He's got red hair, green eyes, and about this tall.." She says showing a height with one of her hands.

Unaware of the brewing trouble at the casino entrance in his hopes to land a rewarding job, Raphael's attention was shifted to the fizzy drink placed before him. He picked the glass up and took a couple of gulps, savoring the taste. Not bad at all. As for Slash's warning, the smaller terrapin simply shrugged. "Since when does that stop me?" Sure the hulking grey mutant was trouble; so were any other desperados willing to fork out cash for another's pain. As long as he'd get his money, he didn't really care who he'd work for.

He was not too fond of that 'small' comment though. "Like that matters.." Raph scoffed, grip tightening slightly around his drink. What, did he want a full-blown resume?
"I'm my own trainer." He's been on his own for so long, hardly had anyone he actually considered a friend aside from Slash and Spike. The rough and unforgiving reality had hardened him over the years, as he spent most of his life living in the streets.
"I didn't get these muscles sittin' all snug with fancy junk all day. And those dolts staggerin' round the alleys got their ass handed to 'em somehow." The turtle cracked his knuckles. Quite a reputation he's built at the dark corners of the city, but this rhino clearly hadn't heard of him.
"Just give me a name and consider the job done."

Mel quickly found her way into the casino after slipping through the maze of hallways. The casino was full of people be it mutants or humans gambling and drinking losing and winning. Some were just drinking and talking while others were stone cold sober while gambling having fun. The young teen didn't get the appeal at all for any of it all she knew is that the really drunk ones were the ones that could be picked clean. Still she had to be careful and stay out of sight of anyone that would think she shouldn't be here mainly the bouncers. This was gonna be a bit more challenging than she thought having to be even more careful than usual picking one pocket of it's cash from a drunk guy being as subtle as possible.

' Okay one down and who knows how much more to go.' The young girl thought hoping that no one was watching and figuring out a 14 year old had slipped in to steal from the gamblers here.

Spike spun in his place and faced the girl while wearing an irritated expression. “I’m well aware of the underage boy.” He tried not to snap as someone else bumped against his shoulder and nearly knocked the mutant off his feet. It wasn’t a good night for him. “If you haven’t noticed, I’m the only bouncer here, and I can’t move from my spot! If you go in and escort him out, I’ll let it go this one time.” Spike was desperate, he could lose his job if the boss caught wind of this, but what other option did he have? With an annoyed snort, he gestured the girl inside. “Be quick about it.”

---

“Hmm, I’ll hire you.” The rhino answered in a deep voice. “I don’t have much a choice anyway. Come, and I’ll give you details.” From his chair, Slash snorted. “Good luck.” He stated and came to a stand, giving his friend a pat on the back. Spike probably needed him more than Raph did; the hired hand was good with taking care of himself- not that he wouldn’t help him if his friend was ever in need.
“I’ll see you around, Red.” Slash winked, calling the turtle by his nickname and walked off. Raph was now left alone with the rhino, who was glared at him with impatience. He seemed eager to get started on the dirty work, which of course he wouldn’t have any part in. That was Red’s job, and if things turned south, at least he’d have his hands clean.

“You ever work with ninja, before?”
He led the turtle to a more secluded area near the restrooms. The casino had a nice lobby where he liked to go when speaking with clients. The rhino sat in a chair by the payphones, one which was way to small for him. He crossed his legs awkwardly, pretending not to look so uncomfortable. “Well, I might as well as introduce myself, I am Rocksteady, and you are Red?”